Certainly NFL franchises are looking to enhance their player
personnel this off-season. In an NFL that has had consecutive seasons of top
tier defensive teams winning the Super Bowl, acquiring quality players on
defense has become even more vital. Last year the New England Patriots signed
defensive players Brandon Browner and Darelle Revis to help them in their route
to the Lombardi trophy at Super Bowl XLIX. As free agency continues, teams are
signing top flight defenders to substantial deals quite notable.
New England let both defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (age 33)
and defensive back Darelle Revis (age 29) play the free agent market after winning
Super Bowl XLIX. Not surprisingly, both players have signed new contracts with
new teams. Vince Wilfork has inked a two year $9 million contract with the
Houston Texans while Revis returned to the New York Jets signing for a five
year $70 million contract. Wilfork registered 53 tackles (6 in playoffs) last
season playing a key part in New England's success. He'll join superstar J.J
Watt on the Texans defensive front that may rendered their first AFC South
divisional title since 2011. If the Texans can now get a quarterback to
accompany Arian Foster they can be a force to reckon with in the AFC. Revis
produced 47 tackles and two interceptions of his own in 2014. He'll return to
New York where he established his NFL career and the legacy of "Revis
Island." Hopefully Revis can move a pass defense ranked 14th last year in
opponents pass yards into a top ten competitor. Defensive Head Coach Todd
Bowles will surely utilize both Revis and Antonio Cromartie to fulfill the
schemes organized to disrupt the offensive success of opponents in the 2015 NFL
season.
Cleveland ended their 2014 NFL season with a 7-9 record.
Though NFL analyst can intelligently suggest that their issues were not
particularly on the defensive side of the ball, acquiring personnel to better
polish the defense can play as a surety. NFL media is reporting that former
Green Bay Packers defensive back Tramon Williams has signed with the Cleveland
Browns on a three year $21 million contract. Williams won Super Bowl XLV with
the Green Bay Packers in 2010 and will gladly play co-op will all pro Joe Haden
on defense. Browns also signed defensive tackle Randy Starks on a two year $8
million contract. Starks will involve himself with a Browns defense that rank
32nd in rush defense last season a clear contribute to their late season
dismantle after starting 6-4 in 2014. These key signings may help to their turn
around in the 2015 season but only time will tell.
